IPID investigating how TUT student was shot dead by police

Aug 24, 2018

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident where one person was killed at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve campus.

IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini said according to the report received from the South African Police Service (SAPS), students held SRC elections during the day on Thursday. Police were later called to the campus after the presiding officer was allegedly held hostage by the students.

“The police drove into the campus and they managed to rescue the presiding officer. On their way out of the campus, the students allegedly barricaded the entrance of the campus and started throwing stones at the police,” Dlamini said.

Dlamini said a post-mortem of the deceased individual will be conducted and the docket would be collected for further investigations.

Investigators are still verifying whether the victim was a student before releasing an identity.

Violence broke out at the Soshanguve north campus late on Thursday after students claimed that the voting process for a new Student Representative Council (SRC) was rigged.

In a report submitted to IPID, officers claim that they aimed their R5 rifles at the ground and that no one had been injured at the time they left the scene.

The university remains open, but security has been heightened.

In a statement, the African National Congress (ANC) said that it had learnt of the death of the student with shock.

"The ANC is deeply concerned by allegations that there might have been use of live ammunition by police. As a matter of principle, under no circumstances should live ammunition be used on campus," said spokesperson, Pule Mabe.

"We are confident that the law-enforcement agencies will leave no stone unturned in the investigation of the circumstances surrounding this sad incident. The ANC urges authorities to ensure that this investigation is conduct and concluded with the utmost urgency.

"Over the years, student movements have been at the forefront of transformation on campuses. Many activists from the Student Movements paid the ultimate price in pursuit of a Free, Just and Equitable education system.

"We urge students and university authorities alike to ensure that elections for Student Representative Councils (SRC) are conducted peacefully and with integrity. We further urge authorities to respect students' right to legitinate protest."

He said that the institutions of learning must be homes for political tolerance and free democratic engagements.

"Our commitment to freedom of expression and the right to protest must also find practical expression at these institutions of higher learning," Mabde added.

"The ANC conveys its deepest condolences to the grieving family and the entire TUT community for this tragic loss of life."